Ecclesiastes 7:10

7:10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?” ¹ 

for it is not wise to ask that. ² 

Ecclesiastes 7:28

7:28 What I have continually sought, I have not found;

I have found only ³  one upright ⁴  man among a thousand,

but I have not found one upright woman among all of them.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Enjoy Life to the Fullest under the Fear of God

11:9 Rejoice, young man, while you are young, ⁵ 

and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.

Follow the impulses ⁶  of your heart and the desires ⁷  of your eyes,

but know that God will judge your motives and actions. ⁸ 

[7:10]  ¹ tn Heb “these.” “Days” does not appear in the Hebrew text as second time, but is supplied in the translation for smoothness.

[7:10]  ² tn Heb “It is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”

[7:28]  ³ tn The word “only” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for smoothness.

[7:28]  ⁴ tn The word “upright” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation twice, here and in the following line, for clarity.

[11:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “in your youth”; or “in your childhood.”

[11:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “walk in the ways of your heart.”

[11:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “the sight.”

[11:9]  ⁸ tn Heb “and know that concerning all these God will bring you into judgment.” The point is not that following one’s impulses and desires is inherently bad and will bring condemnation from God. Rather the point seems to be: As you follow your impulses and desires, realize that all you think and do will eventually be evaluated by God. So one must seek joy within the boundaries of God’s moral standards.